Watch: Hurricane Milton aftermath live coverage

Hurricane Milton howled across the Florida Peninsula on Thursday, tearing a path of destruction from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic as it knocked out power to millions, flooded neighborhoods, destroyed homes, tore the roof off a major sports venue and toppled a massive crane into an office building.

In downtown Tampa early Thursday, fierce winds downed traffic lights, ripped signs out of the ground and sent construction barricades scudding across the wet pavement. Milton’s winds also shredded plywood meant to keep the storm out, and a portion of a downtown building’s brick facade collapsed, partially blocking a road.

Meteorologist Tyler Fleming confirmed to USA TODAY that Tampa Bay apparently was spared a massive storm surge, instead experienced a reverse storm surge that drove water away from the shoreline. But state Division of Emerency Management, in a post on social media, warned residents not to walk out into receding water because "the water WILL return through storm surge and poses a life-threatening risk."

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People keep asking why Floridians didn't evacuate? Because it costs a lot more than just gas money. Think how expensive it is to stay in a hotel when demand is low. Now think how much it costs when there's virtually no hotel rooms because they're full. That's why they don't evacuate for the most part.